Fastening system with bearing member

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments of a fastening system include an object with a securement structure and a mounting structure fastened with respect to the securement structure. The fastening system further includes a bearing member with a first portion for bearing against the bearing surface of the securement structure and a second portion for bearing against the bearing surface of the mounting structure. The bearing member may be biased such that the bearing surfaces of the securement and mounting structures both simultaneously receive compressive force from the respective first and second portions of the bearing member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fastening system and moreparticularly to a fastening system for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pickup vehicles are commonly used to facilitate transportation of cargoitems from one location to another. While pickup vehicles are availablein many sizes and configurations, a typical pickup vehicle includes avehicle bed having a cargo carrying floor that can support cargo, suchas lumber, rocks, groceries and/or other items. Because a conventionalvehicle bed is exposed to harsh conditions, conventional vehicle bedsare typically provided with a vehicle bed liner for attaching to thevehicle bed. The vehicle bed liner helps prevent damage to the vehiclebed that might otherwise occur from environmental elements and/or cargobeing hauled in the vehicle bed. Conventional vehicle bed liners may befastened or retained to the vehicle bed with conventional fasteningarrangements. Not only is there a need for fastening systems forattaching liners, but there is a broader need for fastening systems toattach a vehicle bed floor at a fastening location of the vehicle. Stillfurther, there is a need for fastening systems that can have a widevariety of applications including but not limited to the vehicularindustry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide animproved fastening system to enhance the fastening characteristicsbetween an object (e.g., a vehicle bed floor) and a support structure(e.g., a support structure of a vehicle).

To achieve the foregoing and other aspects, and in accordance with thepurposes of the present invention defined herein, at a fastening systemis provided with an object including a securement structure for mountingat a fastening location with a fastener. The securement structureincludes a bearing surface. The fastening system further includes amounting structure fastened with respect to the securement structurethat includes a lower creep rate than a creep rate of the securementstructure. The mounting structure further includes a bearing surface.The fastening system still further includes a bearing member with afirst portion for bearing against the bearing surface of the securementstructure and a second portion for bearing against the bearing surfaceof the mounting structure. The bearing member may be biased such thatthe bearing surfaces of the securement and mounting structures bothsimultaneously receive compressive force from the respective first andsecond portions of the bearing member.

To achieve further and other aspects, and in accordance with thepurposes of the present invention defined herein, a vehicle bed elementis provided for mounting at a fastening location of a vehicle with afastener. The vehicle bed element comprises a securement structureincluding an aperture having a diameter and a bearing surfacecircumscribing the aperture. The vehicle bed element further comprises amounting structure fastened with respect to the securement structure.The mounting structure includes a lower creep rate than a creep rate ofthe securement structure. The mounting structure includes an aperturethat has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the securementstructure aperture and a bearing surface circumscribing the mountingstructure aperture. The vehicle bed still further includes a bearingmember with a first portion with a first surface for bearing against thebearing surface of the securement structure. The first portion includesa diameter that is larger than the diameter of the securement structureaperture. The bearing member further includes a second portion with asecond surface that is offset from the first surface for bearing againstthe bearing surface of the mounting structure. The second portionincludes a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the securementstructure aperture and larger than the diameter of the mountingstructure aperture. The bearing member may be biased such that thebearing surfaces of the securement and mounting structures bothsimultaneously receive compressive force from the respective first andsecond surfaces of the bearing member.

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in thedescription that follows, and in part will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learnedwith the practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention may berealized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that thesame will be better understood from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a pickup vehicle having a vehiclebed floor in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention wherein certain contours of the vehicle bed floor and closuremember being removed for clarity;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view generally depicting the pickup vehicle of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view depicting the pickup vehicle of FIG. 2 withcertain components removed to expose an exemplary underlying supportstructure;

FIG. 4 is a top rear perspective view depicting selected components ofthe vehicle bed floor of FIG. 2 with the closure member in the openedposition wherein certain contours of the vehicle bed floor and closuremember being removed for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a partial bottom perspective view depicting selectedcomponents of the vehicle bed floor of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view, along line 6-6 in FIG. 2, of afastening section in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view, along line 7-7 in FIG. 2, of afastening section in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is illustrates the exemplary embodiment of the fastening sectionof FIG. 7 prior to its fastening at a fastening location;

FIG. 9 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of the fastening section ofFIG. 7 just prior to compression of an extension element with afastener;

FIG. 10 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of the fastening section ofFIG. 7 after compression of the extension element with the fastener;

FIG. 11 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a fasteningsection in accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of the fastening section ofFIG. 11 just prior to compression of an extension element with afastener;

FIG. 13 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of the fastening section ofFIG. 11 after compression of the extension element with the fastener;

FIG. 14 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a fasteningsection in accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of the fastening section ofFIG. 14 just prior to compression of an extension element with afastener;

FIG. 16 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of the fastening section ofFIG. 14 after compression of the extension element with the fastener;

FIG. 17A illustrates a top view taken along line 17A-17A of thefastening section of FIG. 8;

FIG. 17B illustrates a top view of an alternative embodiment taken alongline 17A-17A of FIG. 8;

FIG. 18A illustrates an enlarged view depicting a portion of thefastening section of FIG. 8;

FIG. 18B illustrates an alternative exemplary embodiment of an extensionelement in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18C illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an extensionelement in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18D illustrates still another exemplary embodiment of an extensionelement in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 18E illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of an extensionelement in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Although the fastening systems of the present invention are not limitedto vehicular applications, the concepts of the present invention will bediscussed in detail with respect to mounting a vehicle bed floor at afastening location of a vehicle as shown in FIGS. 1-18E, wherein likenumbers indicate the same or corresponding elements throughout theviews.

One exemplary vehicle 20 that incorporates the fastening system is bestillustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The exemplary vehicle 20 includes a cabportion 22 and a vehicle bed portion 24 that is configured to holdcargo. The vehicle bed portion 24 can further include one or more innerbed elements that substantially define the primary cargo carryingcompartment of the pickup vehicle bed. As shown in FIG. 2, for example,the vehicle bed portion 24 can include a tailgate element 40, aheadboard element 42, a left side element 34, a right side element 36, aclosure member 30 for covering an access opening, and a vehicle bedfloor 26. The bed floor 26 can include a first support surface 28, andthe closure member 30 can include a second support surface 32. As shownFIG. 2, the first support surface 28 and the second support surface 32can substantially provide the cargo carrying floor of the vehicle bedportion 24, and can accordingly directly support cargo. Both the vehiclebed floor 26 and the closure member 30 are shown in FIG. 2 to includeraised contours 26 a and 30 a. Although such contours can providerigidity and/or texture to a cargo-carrying floor, it should beunderstood that an exemplary vehicle bed floor and/or closure membermight not include any such contours (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4).Although not specifically depicted herein, exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention may be used to mount elements of a truck bed withoutaccess openings or closure members.

Elements of the vehicle bed portion 24 can be formed from any number ofmaterials, as for example, steel, aluminum, plastic, fiberglass,composites, and/or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment,the inner bed elements can include a plurality of plastic panels. Forexample, each of the vehicle bed floor 26, the left side element 34, theright side element 36, the headboard element 42, the tailgate element 40and the closure member 30 can comprise a separate SMC (Sheet MoldedCompound) plastic panel.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict an exemplary vehicle bed element comprising avehicle bed floor 26. The closure member 30 can be opened to reveal anaccess opening leading to both a first chamber 74 and a second chamber78. As shown, the first chamber 74 can be substantially defined by afirst shell 76 and the second chamber 78 can be at least partiallydefined by a second shell 80.

The vehicle bed floor 26 may be mounted to a support structure 71 of avehicle 20, as best shown in FIG. 3 for example. The support structure71 may comprise one or more first fastening locations 70 and/or one ormore second fastening locations 110 to assist in mounting the vehiclebed floor 26 to the support structure 71. Second fastening locations 110may be used at locations with limited surface area available formounting. A combination of fastening locations 70 and 110 may beparticularly useful in applications where there are various supportstructural specifications that include different surface areas availableas fastening locations. Although not particularly identified and/ordepicted, the support structure 71 may further comprise one or moresimilar fastening locations to facilitate attachment with the tailgateelement 40, headboard element 42, left side element 34 and/or right sideelement 36. The support structure 71, including the fastening locations70 and 110 can comprise nonmetallic or metallic materials such as steel,aluminum, or the like. In still further embodiments, the supportstructure 71 might be a unibody structure or integral with a vehicleframe.

In applications where there is a larger surface area available formounting, the fastening system may include a securement structure 44 formounting the vehicle floor bed 26 at the first fastening location 70, asbest shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 for example. The securement structure 44functions to provide a mounting location for the vehicle bed floor 26.As shown, the securement structure 44 is integral and formed as part ofthe vehicle bed floor 26. Although not shown, the securement structuremay be separate from the floor for mounting thereto.

The securement structure 44 and elements related thereto, function toimprove the fastening characteristics between the vehicle floor bed 26and the first fastening location 70 of the support structure 71. Asshown in FIG. 6, a mounting structure 52 can be fastened with respect tothe securement structure 44 and functions to facilitate secureattachment between the vehicle floor bed 26 and the first fasteninglocation 70. For example, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, one or moremounting structures 52 can be fastened to the underside of the bed floor26 with an adhesive layer 58. In addition or alternatively, the mountingstructures 52 might be molded to the bed floor 26 and/or fastened to theunderside of the bed floor with welds, bolts, or other fasteningtechniques, for example. The mounting structure 52 can be fabricatedfrom a material that has a lower creep rate than the creep rate of thesecurement structure 44. Creep rate is the tendency of a material toflow and lose resilience under elevated temperature and/or pressureconditions. A material with a sufficiently low creep rate at a fasteninglocation may be desirable since the low creep rate property of thematerial will prevent loosening of the fastener over time that wouldotherwise occur if the material began to creep under compression by thefastener. While a wide variety of materials may be used, low creep ratematerial for exemplary mounting structures can comprise non-metallic ormetallic materials such as steel, aluminum or the like.

In exemplary embodiments, the mounting structures 52 can take the formof reinforcement members to increase the structural integrity of theelement. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the mounting structures52 comprise cross braces fastened with respect to a surface of thesecurement structure 44. Each cross brace may be arranged such that itextends across a lower surface of the vehicle bed floor 26. Forming thereinforcement members as a cross braces can function to increase therigidity of a support panel, thereby deterring panel flexing when thepanel is supporting a load.

In particular examples, the mounting structures are configured toprovide a mounting function and a reinforcement function. For example,as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the mounting structure 52 can take the formof a cross brace that acts to reinforce the panel while also providing amounting structure. FIG. 6 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of afastening system in accordance with the present invention. As shown, themounting structure 52 may be fastened with respect to the securementstructure 44, for example, by an adhesive layer 58. In the illustratedembodiment, lateral tabs 52 a are mounted to a surface of the securementstructure and a surface of a countersunk portion 45 of the securementstructure 44 is also attached to a mounting portion 52 b of the mountingstructure 52. Providing the securement structure 44 with a countersunkportion 45 is not necessary to carry out the concepts of the presentinvention. A countersunk portion 45, however, may be desirable to hidethe surfaces of the fastener from the support surface of the vehicle bedfloor 26. Moreover, the countersunk portion 45 may be particularlydesirable when connecting to a cross brace portion. As shown in FIG. 6,the mounting portion 52 comprises a cross brace that has a generalC-shaped cross section 53 with lateral tabs 52 a extending from thecross sectional portion 53. Providing the cross beam with a generalC-shaped cross section increases the bending interia of the cross beam,thereby maximizing its effectiveness as a reinforcement structure forthe vehicle bed floor 26. The countersunk portion 45 thereforeeffectively cooperates with the cross beam by extending down into acavity 53 a defined by the general C-shaped cross section 53 forconnection to the mounting portion 52 b of the mounting structure 52.

While the mounting structure 52 is shown attached to the securementstructure at two locations (i.e., the lateral tabs 52 a and the mountingportion 52 b), it is understood that the mounting location can belocated only at the lateral tabs 52 a or only at the mounting portion 52b. Hence, although not shown, there may be adhesive located at only oneor more of the lateral tabs or only the mounting portion. Still further,the mounting structure 52 may be fastened with respect to the securementstructure without actually being fastened to the securement structure44. That is, the mounting structure 52 may be fastened to the vehiclebed floor 26 at a location other than at or adjacent to the securementstructure 44.

In exemplary embodiments, a bearing surface 54 of the mounting structure52 and a bearing surface 46 of the securement structure 44 facegenerally in a first direction (e.g., generally toward a cavity 47defined by the countersunk portion 45). As shown, the bearing surface 54surrounds a mounting structure aperture 56 while the bearing surface 46surrounds a structure aperture 48. As shown, the securement structureaperture 48 is larger than the mounting structure aperture 56 such thatthe bearing surface 54 is exposed to the cavity 47. In one particularembodiment, as shown, the bearing surface 54 is exposed to the cavity 47by providing the mounting structure aperture 56 with a diameter (e.g.,circular diameter) that is smaller than a diameter (e.g., circulardiameter) of the securement structure aperture 48. In the illustratedexemplary embodiment, the mounting structure aperture 56 isconcentrically aligned with the securement structure aperture 48.

The fastening system further includes a bearing member 60 with a firstportion 62 and a second portion 64. As further shown in FIG. 6, thefirst portion 62 includes a surface 62 a adapted to engage the bearingsurface 46 of the securement structure 44. The second portion 64 alsoincludes a surface 64 a adapted to engage the bearing surface 54 of themounting structure 52. The surfaces 62 a, 64 a can comprise planarsurfaces and might each extend along distinct imaginary planes that areoffset and parallel to one another. As further shown, the first portion62 may optionally include a resilient, e.g., rubber, washer 63 toenhance the fastening function. As shown, the surface 62 a of the firstportion 62 is offset from the surface 64 a of the second portion 64 sothat the surfaces 62 a, 64 a may simultaneously engage the bearingsurfaces 46, 54, respectively, when the bearing member 60 is compressedduring the fastening process. In particular, the second portion 64 mayinclude a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the securementstructure aperture 48 and larger than the diameter of the mountingstructure aperture 56. The bearing member 60 may therefore be biased,for example by a fastener 68, such that the bearing surfaces 46, 54 mayboth simultaneously receive compressive force from the respective firstand second surfaces 62 a, 64 a of the bearing member 60. While thebearing member 60 is disclosed in the figures as including a dualshouldered washer member, in exemplary embodiments, the bearing member60 can further comprise at least part of a fastener 68. For example, thebearing member 60 can be included as part of a bolt 68 a wherein thedual shoulders are located at the head portion of the bolt 68 a.

Each of the embodiments illustrated and described throughout theapplication include fasteners that are exemplified as a bolt and nutarrangement. It is understood that fasteners described herein mayalternatively comprise a wide variety of fastener types known in theindustry that are capable of performing a tightening function. Forexample, the fasteners may comprise a bolt that can be mounted in athreaded aperture integrally formed with the support structure 71. Thefastener may further comprise non-threaded fasteners, snap fasteners, orother fasteners that can perform a tightening function.

As shown in FIG. 6, an exemplary fastening connection between thevehicle bed floor 26 and the first fastening location 70 can be providedby first positioning the mounting structure aperture 56 and thesecurement structure aperture 48 such that they are substantiallyaligned with an aperture 72 defined at the first fastening location 70.Next, the bearing member 60 is placed with respect to the securementstructure 44 such that a surface 62 a of the first portion 62 restsagainst or is positioned adjacent to the bearing surface 46 of thesecurement structure 44 and the surface 64 a of the second portion 64rests against or is positioned adjacent the bearing surface 54 of themounting structure 52. A bolt 68 a is then inserted through an aperture66 defined in the bearing member 60, the securement structure aperture48, the mounting structure aperture 56 and the first fastening locationaperture 72. A nut 68 b is then engaged with the bolt 68 a and torqueddown until the bearing member 60 is sufficiently biased against thesecurement structure 44 and the mounting structure 52. An optional cap50 may then be inserted in the cavity 47 to cover the mountingstructures.

The fastening system described above is useful in that a dual engagementconnection is provided that independently provides a fastening functionand together provides a useful enhanced fastening function to ensureproper connection throughout the life of the fastening arrangement. Forexample, the second portion 64 is biased against the mounting structure52 that is adhered to the vehicle bed floor 26 for indirect andindependent fastening of the vehicle bed floor 26 to the first fasteninglocation 70 while the first portion 62 is also biased against thesecurement structure 44 to provide a further direct and independentfastening of the vehicle bed floor 26 to the first fastening location70. The dual fastening function also accommodates for weaknesses thatwould occur if attempting to use only one of the fastening functionsdescribed above. For example, providing only the first portion 62 of thebearing member 60 would require increased torquing of the fastener 68 tomaintain the desired torque level with the fastener 68. Such increasedtorquing may likely lead to creep in the securement structure 44 to thepoint where the fastener 68 may lose the desired torque level, therebyleading to loosening of the fastener 68 that will eventually causefailure of the fastening function. On the other hand, only providing thesecond portion 64 of the bearing member 60 would increase the likelihoodof failure due to a probable disconnection between the mountingstructure 52 and the vehicle bed floor 26. As the fastener 68 would beindirectly fastened to the securement structure 44, vibrational energyfrom the vehicle bed floor 26 would necessarily transmit through thepotentially fragile adhesive layer 58. If the adhesive layer 58 fails,then the securement structure 44 and the rest of the vehicle bed floor26 would lose its connection to the first fastening location 70.Providing a dual fastening system minimizes these potential failures toenhance the fastening characteristics and reliability of the fasteningconneciton. The first portion 62 provides a direct fastening engagementwith the securement structure 44. Moreover, creep problems are avoidedas a portion of the force from the torqued fastener 68 is absorbed bythe mounting structure 52. Still further, even if creep does occur, thefirst portion 62 will still rest on top of the bearing surface 46 todiscourage relative movement between securement structure 44 and themounting structure 52, for example due to vibration, that mightaccelerate structural failure of the adhesive layer 58 connecting themounting structure 52 to the securement structure 44.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-18E, further exemplary embodiments of fasteningsystems are disclosed that are particularly useful at locations wherethere is limited surface area available for mounting. For example, withrespect to FIG. 3, such fastening systems may be used in cooperationwith second fastening locations 110 that contain a limited amount ofarea available for mounting.

With respect to FIGS. 7-10, a fastening system includes a vehicle bedfloor 26 with a securement structure 90 for mounting to a secondfastening location 110 with a fastener 104, such as a bolt 104 a and nut104 b combination. The securement structure 90 includes at least oneextension element 92 a adapted to be compressed by a fastener 104. Thesecurement structure 90 further includes a compression reinforcementdevice 94 mounted with respect to the securement structure 90. Invarious exemplary embodiments, the compression reinforcement device 94may be fixedly mounted to the securement structure 90 or slidablymounted to the securement structure 90. Exemplary embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 7-13 might have compression reinforcement devicesthat are fixedly mounted with respect to the securement structure whilethe exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 14-16 might havecompression reinforcement devices that are slidably mounted with respectto the securement structure. In one example, the compressionreinforcement device 94 may be fixedly mounted to the securementstructure 90 by being press fit within a cavity or aperture of thesecurement structure 90. The compression reinforcement device 94 mayalso be fixedly mounted to the securement structure 90 with adhesive,welding, mechanical connection or the like.

The compression reinforcement device 94 is fabricated from a materialhaving a lower creep rate than the securement structure 90. As statedabove, a material with a sufficiently low creep rate at a fasteninglocation may be desirable since the low creep rate property of thematerial will prevent loosening of the fastener over time that wouldotherwise occur if the material began to creep under compression by thefastener. While a wide variety of materials may be used, low creep ratematerial for exemplary mounting structures can comprise non-metallic ormetallic materials such as steel, aluminum or the like. Moreover, thecompression reinforcement device 94 may comprise a wide variety ofshapes. In one particular example, the compression reinforcement device94 comprises an annular collar as best shown in FIGS. 7-16.

The compression reinforcement device 94 can include a first end 100 andan opposed second end 102. In one exemplary embodiment, at least aportion of the securement structure 90 extends above the first end 100of the compression reinforcement device 94. For example, as shown inFIG. 8, the portion of the securement structure 90 that extends abovethe first end 100 comprises a distal end 93 a of the extension element92 a. The distal end 93 a of the extension element 92 a extends abovethe first end 100 prior to its use in performing a fastening function.As best illustrated in FIG. 18A, prior to being compressed during afastening function, the distal end 93 a can extend a distance H₁ above abase portion 92 of the securement structure 90 and a distance H₂ abovethe first end 100 of the compression reinforcement device 94. AlthoughH₁ is disclosed as having a greater height than H₂ in the figures, it iscontemplated that H₁ might be substantially equal to H₂ in furtherexemplary embodiments.

Extension elements in accordance with exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention may comprise various structural properties and bearranged in various configurations. As shown in FIG. 18A, the extensionelement may have a width W that may be selected depending on theparticular application. The particular width and height of the extensionelement can be selected to permit the extension element to receiveadequate pressure from the fastener, and can be further selected toreduce creep complications associated with fastening materials havingsufficiently high creep rates. FIGS. 18B-18E depict exemplaryembodiments of extension element profiles that may be used with theconcepts of the present invention. In addition or alternatively, it isunderstood that, although not shown, a wide variety of additionalextension element profiles may be incorporated with the concepts of thepresent invention. FIG. 18B illustrates a securement structure 590including an extension element 592 a with a relatively narrow widthprofile when compared to the extension element 92 a illustrated in FIG.18A. FIG. 18C illustrates another securement structure 690 including anextension element 692 a having a profile with blunted end portion. Stillfurther, FIG. 18D discloses a securement structure 790 with an extensionelement 792 a having a pointed, triangulated profile. FIG. 18E depictsyet another a securement structure 890 with an extension element 892 ahaving a crescent-shaped profile.

As shown throughout the exemplary embodiments, the one or more extensionelements are illustrated as being disposed adjacent either the first endor the second end of the compression reinforcement device. It is alsounderstood that one or more extension elements can be disposed adjacentboth the first and second end of the compression reinforcement device.

Each of the various extension elements in accordance with the presentinvention may be disposed in various configurations about thecompression reinforcement device. For example, as shown in FIG. 17A,each of the extension elements in accordance with the exemplaryembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 18A-18E may comprise an extensionelement in the form of an annular extension element disposedconcentrically with respect to the compression reinforcement device.Although not shown, the extension element may comprise a plurality ofextension elements in the form of offset annular extension elementsdisposed concentrically around the compression reinforcement device.Still further, as shown in the securement structure 490 of FIG. 17B,each of the extension elements in accordance with the exemplaryembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 18A-18E may comprise a plurality ofextension elements 492 a disposed radially about the compressionreinforcement device 494. While FIG. 17B discloses the extensionelements 492 a being equally radially spaced about the compressionreinforcement device 492 and disposed about an imaginary circle that isconcentric with the compression reinforcement device 492, alternativeembodiments may comprise non equal radial spacing and/or non concentricdisposition of the extension elements.

Turning back to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7-10, thecompression reinforcement device 94 can include a foot 98 to distributebearing stress about an aperture 112 at the second fastening location110. The foot is also effective to trap portions of the securementstructure 90 as it is compressed by the fastener 104. As previouslymentioned, the compression reinforcement device 94 can take the form ofan annular collar. In further exemplary embodiments, the annular collarincludes a body portion 96 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8) that is concentricwith an aperture defined by the securement structure. As shown in FIG.8, for example, the foot 98 can extend radially away from the bodyportion. More particularly, the foot 98 is shown to extend radially awayfrom the body portion at the second end 102 of the annular collar.

As shown in FIG. 9, when assembling the securement structure 90 andcompression reinforcement device 94 to the second fastening location110, the securement structure 90 and compression reinforcement device 94are first placed adjacent the second fastening location 110. Next, abearing member 106, if provided separately from the fastener 104, ispositioned such that it abuts the distal end 93 a of the extensionelement 92 a. Next, a fastener 104, such as a bolt 104 a, is insertedthrough the aperture of the bearing member 106, the aperture of thecompression reinforcement device 94 and an aperture 112 defined by thesecond fastening location 110. A nut 104 b is then attached to thethreaded end of the bolt 104 a. As shown in FIG. 10, the nut 104 b isthen tightened such that the extension element 92 a is compressed by thefastener 104 such that the distal end 93 a of the extension element 92 ais positioned substantially level with the first end 100 of thecompression reinforcement device 94 and wherein the compressionreinforcement device 94 and the securement structure 90 both receivecompressive force from the fastener 104.

With the compressive load distributed between the compressionreinforcement device 94 and the securement structure 90, the fasteningarrangement can be optimized. Compression of the securement structure 90discourages relative movement between the compressive reinforcementdevice 94 and the securement structure 90, thereby preventing unwantedvibrational acoustic noise and potential failure of the fixed mountingof the compression reinforcement device 94 with respect to thesecurement structure 90. Still further, distribution of force to thecompression reinforcement device 94 can facilitate the maintenance of adesired compression force by the fastener 104 due to the sufficientlylow creep rate of the compression reinforcement device material.

As shown in the exemplary embodiments, a bearing member 106, such as awasher, can be provided to facilitate compression of the extensionelement 92 a by the fastener 104. While the exemplary embodimentsillustrate the fastener 104 compressing the extension element indirectlythrough the bearing member 106, each of the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention (e.g., see FIGS. 7-16) may be used in applicationswhere the fastener 104 includes the bearing member 106. For example, ineach of the embodiments discussed herein, the bearing member 106 can beformed integrally with the end of the bolt such that the fastenerdirectly compresses the extension element.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 11-13 wherein a compression reinforcement device 294 is mountedwith respect to a securement structure 290. The embodiment of FIGS.11-13 is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 except that thecompression reinforcement device 294 does not include a foot extendingradially from the body portion 296. As shown, the compressionreinforcement device 294 comprises an annular collar with asubstantially constant outer diameter between its first end 200 and thesecond end 202. Providing the compression reinforcement device 294without a foot may be desirable to reduce manufacturing costs and may beparticularly useful in applications where the fastener is not exerting ahigh compression force and/or where the second fastening location 110has a substantial structural integrity that would avoid punching failuredue to excessive bearing stresses.

As shown in FIG. 12, when assembling the securement structure 290 andthe compression reinforcement device 294 at the second fasteninglocation 110, the securement structure 290 and compression reinforcementdevice 294 are first placed adjacent the second fastening location 110.Next, a bearing member 106, if provided separately from the fastener104, is positioned such that it abuts the distal end 293 a of theextension element 292 a. Next a fastener 104, such as a bolt 104 a, isinserted through the aperture of the bearing member 106, the aperture ofthe compression reinforcement device 294 and the aperture 112 defined atthe second fastening location 110. A nut 104 b is then attached to thethreaded end of the bolt 104 a. As shown in FIG. 13, the nut 104 b isthen tightened such that the extension element 292 a is compressed bythe fastener 104 such that the distal end 293 a of the extension element292 a is positioned substantially level with the first end 200 of thecompression reinforcement device 294 and wherein the compressionreinforcement device 294 and the securement structure 290 both receivecompressive force from the fastener 104.

FIGS. 14-16 illustrate still another embodiment of the presentinvention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 7-10 except that the securement structure 390 is slidably mountedwith respect to the compression reinforcement device 394. Moreover, anextension element 392 b is positioned such that a distal end 392 c ofthe extension element 392 b is adapted to abut a surface of a foot 398while a portion 392 a of the securement structure 390 extends above thefirst end 300 of the compression reinforcement device 394.

As shown in FIG. 15, when assembling the securement structure 390 andthe compression reinforcement device 394 at the second fasteninglocation 110, the securement structure 390 and compression reinforcementdevice 394 are first placed adjacent the second fastening location 110.Next, a bearing member 106, if provided separately from the fastener104, is positioned such that it abuts the portion 392 a of thesecurement structure 390 that extends above the first end 300 of thecompression reinforcement device 394. Next a fastener 104, such as abolt 104 a, is inserted through the aperture of the bearing member 106,the compression reinforcement device 394 and the aperture 112 defined atthe second fastening location 110. A nut 104 b is then attached to thethreaded end of the bolt 104 a. As shown in FIG. 16, the nut 104 b isthen tightened such that the extension element 392 b is compressed bythe fastener 104 such that the portion 392 a of the securement structure390 is positioned substantially level with the first end 300 of thecompression reinforcement device 394 and the distal end 392 c of theextension element 392 b is compressed against the surface of the foot398. As shown in FIG. 16, once the fastener 104 is tightened, thecompression reinforcement device 394 and the securement structure 390both receive compressive force from the fastener 104.

While the concepts of the present invention have been described withrespect to an element for a vehicle comprising a vehicle bed floor 26,the inventive concepts of the present invention may be applied toadditional elements within a vehicle. Although not limited to panelelements, exemplary further elements for a vehicle can comprise soundabsorption panels, structural panels, support panels, protective panelsfor covering mechanical and/or electrical components, aesthetic panels,or the like. It is also contemplated that the vehicle bed elements maycomprise a headboard element 42, tailgate element 40, side element 34,36 or the like. In even further applications, fastening systems inaccordance with the concepts of the present invention may be applied tovarious mounting systems and arrangements and are not limited tovehicular applications. For example, fastening systems in accordancewith the present invention may be incorporated in the buildingconstruction industry, manufacturing industry (e.g., machinemanufacture), transportation industry, material handling industry orother applications.

Throughout the application, the fastening system has been discussed inassociation with an object that is an integral part of an element for avehicle. However, it is understood that the object can simply comprise amounting device capable of use in a wide variety of alternativeapplications. For example, an object in the form of a mounting devicemay comprise a bracket or intermediate bracket that attaches to afurther object (e.g., a vehicle element) for mounting the further objectto a support structure. For example, after attachment of such a mountingdevice to the vehicle element, the vehicle element may be mounted withrespect to the support structure as discussed more fully above.Providing an object as a mounting device may simplify the productionprocess by allowing the compression reinforcement device to be insertedwith respect to a smaller piece (e.g., as part of a smaller mountingdevice rather than a vehicle element) and may also allow one or morestandard mounting devices to be formed including the securementstructure where the mounting device can be attached to a wide variety ofelements at a later time. For example, when providing the object as amounting device, an inventory of mounting devices may be accumulated forlater use. During assembly, these mounting devices may then be selectedfor attachment to a desired vehicle element (e.g., tailgate element,headboard element, side element, vehicle floor bed, etc.). Once themounting device is attached to the vehicle element, the vehicle elementmay then be installed at the desired location.

Providing an object as a mounting device for later attachment to afurther object (e.g., vehicle element) may also be beneficial to allowfor customization of the fastening arrangements for the further object.For example, a first mounting device may be provided with many of thefeatures of FIG. 6 discussed above for mounting at locations that haveadequate surface areas available for mounting while a second mountingdevice may be provided with a combination of features described withrespect to FIGS. 7-18E above for mounting at locations with limitedsurface areas available for mounting. One or more first and/or secondmounting devices may therefore be selected for mounting the vehicleelement. For example, a plurality of first and second mounting devicesmay be selected and fastened at appropriate locations to a vehicleelement in a pattern that will permit the vehicle element to be mountedto a unique support structure arrangement having fastening locationswith different available surface areas for mounting.

The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments and examples of theinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the inventionto the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light ofthe above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed,and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate theprinciples of the invention and various embodiments as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. It is hereby intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the claims appended hereto.

1. A fastening system comprising: a) an object including a securementstructure for mounting at a fastening location with a fastener, thesecurement structure including a bearing surface; b) a mountingstructure fastened with respect to the securement structure, themounting structure including a lower creep rate than a creep rate of thesecurement structure, the mounting structure further including a bearingsurface; and c) a bearing member including a first portion for bearingagainst the bearing surface of the securement structure and a secondportion for bearing against the bearing surface of the mountingstructure, wherein the bearing member may be biased such that thebearing surfaces of the securement and mounting structures bothsimultaneously receive compressive force from the respective first andsecond portions of the bearing member.
 2. The fastening system of claim1, wherein the object is included as an element for a vehicle.
 3. Thefastening system of claim 2, wherein the element comprises a vehicle bedelement.
 4. The fastening system of claim 2, wherein the object is anintegral part of the element.
 5. The fastening system of claim 1,wherein the mounting structure comprises a cross brace fastened withrespect to a surface of the securement structure.
 6. The fasteningsystem of claim 1, wherein a surface of the second portion of thebearing member is offset from a surface of the first portion of thebearing member.
 7. The fastening system of claim 6, wherein the surfaceof the first portion of the bearing member comprises a first planarsurface and wherein the surface of the second portion of the bearingmember comprises a second planar surface.
 8. The fastening system ofclaim 1, wherein the first portion of the bearing member includes aresilient washer.
 9. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein thesecurement structure includes an aperture having a diameter and themounting structure includes an aperture that has a smaller diameter thanthe diameter of the securement structure aperture, the bearing surfaceof the securement structure circumscribes the securement structureaperture and the bearing surface of the mounting structure circumscribesthe mounting structure aperture, the first portion of the bearing memberhas a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the securementstructure aperture and the second portion of the bearing member has adiameter that is smaller than the diameter of the securement structureaperture and larger than the diameter of the mounting structureaperture.
 10. The fastening system of claim 9, wherein the mountingstructure aperture is concentrically aligned with the securementstructure aperture.
 11. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein themounting structure includes a cross sectional portion with a generalC-shaped cross section, and the securement structure includes acountersunk portion that extends down into a cavity defined by the crosssectional portion.
 12. A vehicle bed element for mounting at a fasteninglocation of a vehicle with a fastener, the vehicle bed elementcomprising: a) a securement structure including an aperture having adiameter and a bearing surface circumscribing the aperture; b) amounting structure fastened with respect to the securement structure,the mounting structure including a lower creep rate than a creep rate ofthe securement structure, the mounting structure further including anaperture that has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the securementstructure aperture, the mounting structure including a bearing surfacecircumscribing the mounting structure aperture; and c) a bearing memberincluding a first portion with a first surface for bearing against thebearing surface of the securement structure, the first portion includinga diameter that is larger than the diameter of the securement structureaperture, the bearing member further including a second portion with asecond surface that is offset from the first surface for bearing againstthe bearing surface of the mounting structure, the second portionincluding a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the securementstructure aperture and larger than the diameter of the mountingstructure aperture, wherein the bearing member may be biased such thatthe bearing surfaces of the securement and mounting structures bothsimultaneously receive compressive force from the respective first andsecond surfaces of the bearing member.
 13. The vehicle bed element ofclaim 12, wherein the mounting structure comprises a cross bracefastened with respect to a surface of the securement structure.
 14. Thevehicle bed element of claim 12, wherein the first surface of thebearing member comprises a first planar surface and wherein the secondsurface of the bearing member comprises a second planar surface.
 15. Thevehicle bed element of claim 12, wherein the first portion of thebearing member includes a resilient washer.
 16. The vehicle bed elementof claim 12, wherein the mounting structure includes a cross sectionalportion with a general C-shaped cross section, and the securementstructure includes a countersunk portion that extends down into a cavitydefined by the cross sectional portion.